Lamentations et autres œuvres sacrées

Description

The Cardinall’s Musick, an English vocal ensemble founded in 1989 and whose reputation is well established in Europe, continues here the recording of the complete sacred works of Thomas Tallis. This sixth volume is particularly devoted to the two Lamentations of Jeremiah, whose dedicatee is not known; 16th-century English music is in some cases poorly dated (Thomas Tallis’s date of birth is itself very uncertain). The musical writing of these Lamentations corresponds in every respect to the recommendations of Archbishop Cranmer, who imposed one note per syllable, giving great fluidity to the musical reading and optimal understanding of the text. The fifteen singers, masterfully directed by Andrew Carwood, here serve a limpid, clear music, filled with beautiful emotions, where the counterpoint is perceived in a very intelligible way, without diminishing the homogeneity of the writing for 5-part choir. Several hymns and motets are also recorded, as well as the Communions of the Short Service (or Dorian Office) written in 4 parts, rigorously syllabic, and whose simplicity in no way detracts from the beauty. (Benoît Barrail)